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Identification of uraniferous granitoids in the USA using stream sediment geochemical data

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 July 2018

R. J. Howarth ,
G. S. Koch ,
J. A. Plant  and
R. K. Lowry
R. J. Howarth
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, Imperial College, London SW7 2BP
G. S. Koch
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
J. A. Plant
Affiliation:
Institute of Geological Sciences, London EC1R 5DU
R. K. Lowry
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, Imperial College, London SW7 2BP
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Abstract

Trace element variations in stream sediments from an area of 76 000 km2 in central Colorado are used to identify uraniferous granitoids on the basis of whole rock geochemical criteria developed to distinguish barren from metalliferous granitoids in Britain. These criteria (which include enhanced Ba, Be, Cs, Cs/Ba, K, La/Eu, Li, Lu/Eu, Nb, Rb, Rb/K, low Sr and Mg, and RE patterns with marked negative Eu anomalies) are used to formulate an index based on the Pikes Peak batholith of the Front Range as a type uranium source rock.

Uraniferous granitoids in Colorado, which are associated with sedimentary basins containing major uranium mineralization, are identified using this index which may be applicable to the interpretation of stream sediments from elsewhere. The use of stream sediment geochemistry as an exploration method for similar uranium source rocks, which may indicate potential uranium provinces, is thus possible.

Type
Research Article
Information
Mineralogical Magazine , Volume 44 , Issue 336 , December 1981 , pp. 455 - 470
Copyright
Copyright © The Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland 1981

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